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Mercat Cross

📷 Craig Wallace · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

BirdsSeasonalWildlife

Dogs welcome

Getting here

58.98160, -2.96035

Open directionsv

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🐦81+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Blackbird and Goldcrest
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
☕St Magnus Cafe — a good base for a longer summer day out

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🐦81+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Blackbird and Goldcrest
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
☕St Magnus Cafe — a good base for a longer summer day out

Good to know

🐕Dogs welcome

CaféParking· PaidPlaygroundToilets

Best for

6 activities

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Blackbird, Goldcrest, Chaffinch +78 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Blackbird, Goldcrest, Chaffinch +78 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Plants — Wall Screw-moss, Rough-stalked Feather-moss, White-tipped Bristle-moss +49 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Wall Screw-moss, Rough-stalked Feather-moss, White-tipped Bristle-moss +49 more · last seen 2025

Free

Wildlife

Strong match

Birds — Blackbird, Goldcrest, Chaffinch +78 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Blackbird, Goldcrest, Chaffinch +78 more · last seen 2026

Free

Heritage

Strong match

Historic site

Free

Insect spotting

Good match

Insects — Black Darter, Emerald Damselfly, Potato Capsid +2 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Black Darter, Emerald Damselfly, Potato Capsid +2 more · last seen 2025

Free

Easy access

Good match

parking, toilets

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚴

Cycling

2 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

EuroVelo 12 - North Sea Cycle Route - part United Kingdom 10Cycling route

Named routeRef EV12International cycle route

EuroVelo 12 - North Sea Cycle Route - part United Kingdom 9Cycling route

Named routeRef EV12International cycle route

Wildlife to spot

15,205 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

15,205 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds82 species

autumnwinter

2026

Blackbird · Goldcrest · Chaffinch · Black-headed Gull · Goldfinch +77

BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2025
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2025
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2025
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2025
RookCorvus frugilegus2025
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2025
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula2025
RobinErithacus rubecula2025
GreenfinchChloris chloris2025
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2025
DunnockPrunella modularis
Mute SwanCygnus olor2025
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis2025
MallardAnas platyrhynchos2025
RavenCorvus corax2025
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2025
WigeonMareca penelope2025
Herring GullLarus argentatus2025
Hooded CrowCorvus cornix2025
RedshankTringa totanus2025
SnipeGallinago gallinago2025
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2025
JackdawColoeus monedula2025
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus2025
Rock DoveColumba livia2025
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2025
ShovelerSpatula clypeata2025
Common GullLarus canus2025
House SparrowPasser domesticus2025
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2025
GoosanderMergus merganser2025
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticula2025
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalis2025
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2025
SiskinSpinus spinus2025
TurnstoneArenaria interpres2025
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2025
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2025
Common GuillemotUria aalge2025
Lesser RedpollAcanthis flammea cabaret2025
FulmarFulmarus glacialis2025
WoodcockScolopax rusticola2025
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2025
SwallowHirundo rustica2025
CurlewNumenius arquata2025
PheasantPhasianus colchicus2025
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serrator2025
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2025
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus2025
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca curruca2025
EiderSomateria mollissima2025
Black GuillemotCepphus grylle2025
ShagGulosus aristotelis2025
House MartinDelichon urbicum2025
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensis2025
Velvet ScoterMelanitta fusca2025
ScaupAythya marila2025
DunlinCalidris alpina2025
Rock PipitAnthus petrosus2025
Yellow-browed WarblerPhylloscopus inornatus2025
LinnetLinaria cannabina2025
FirecrestRegulus ignicapilla2025
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula2025
TealAnas crecca2025
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2025
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2025
Red-throated DiverGavia stellata2025
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus2025
Greylag GooseAnser anser2025
CrossbillLoxia curvirostra2025
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2025
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2025
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropus2025
StonechatSaxicola rubicola2025
KittiwakeRissa tridactyla2025
White WagtailMotacilla alba alba2025
RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurus2025
GannetMorus bassanus2025
Muscovy DuckCairina moschata2025
Common TernSterna hirundo2025

🐝

Insects5 species

summer

2025

Black Darter · Emerald Damselfly · Potato Capsid · Platycheirus clypeatus agg. · Eristalis pertinax

Black DarterSympetrum danae
Emerald DamselflyLestes sponsa
Potato CapsidClosterotomus norwegicus
Platycheirus clypeatus agg.Platycheirus clypeatus agg.
Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax

🌿

Plants53 species

summer

2025

Rough-stalked Feather-moss · Fern-leaved Hook-moss · White-tipped Bristle-moss · Wall Screw-moss · Common Feather-moss +48

Rough-stalked Feather-mossBrachythecium rutabulum
Fern-leaved Hook-mossCratoneuron filicinum
White-tipped Bristle-mossOrthotrichum diaphanum
Wall Screw-mossTortula muralis
Common Feather-mossKindbergia praelonga
Perthshire Beard-mossDidymodon rigidulus
Capillary Thread-mossBryum capillare
Bird's-claw Beard-mossBarbula unguiculata
Dune Thread-mossBryum dichotomum
Frizzled PincushionPlenogemma phyllantha
Silver-mossBryum argenteum
RedshankCeratodon purpureus
Zygodon stirtoniiZygodon stirtonii
Nicholson's Beard-mossDidymodon nicholsonii
Red Beard-mossBryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum
Silky Wall Feather-mossHomalothecium sericeum
Cylindric Beard-mossDidymodon insulanus
Hypnum cupressiforme var. cupressiformeHypnum cupressiforme var. cupressiforme
Himalayan BalsamImpatiens glandulifera
Marchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalisMarchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalis
Wood Bristle-mossLewinskya affinis
Lesser Bird's-claw Beard-mossStreblotrichum convolutum var. convolutum
Thickpoint GrimmiaSchistidium crassipilum
Supine Plait-mossHypnum cupressiforme var. resupinatum
Streblotrichum convolutum var. commutatumStreblotrichum convolutum var. commutatum
Swan's-neck Thyme-mossMnium hornum
Hooded Bristle-mossOrthotrichum cupulatum
Green Yoke-mossZygodon viridissimus
Yellow Fringe-mossRacomitrium aciculare
Hart's-tongue Thyme-mossPlagiomnium undulatum
Clustered Feather-mossRhynchostegium confertum
Anomalous Bristle-mossOrthotrichum anomalum
Grey-cushioned GrimmiaGrimmia pulvinata
Syntrichia ruralis var. ruralisSyntrichia ruralis var. ruralis
Pointed Spear-mossCalliergonella cuspidata
Crescent-cup LiverwortLunularia cruciata
Slender DitrichumFlexitrichum gracile
Blueish VeilwortMetzgeria violacea
Creeping Feather-mossAmblystegium serpens
Springy Turf-mossRhytidiadelphus squarrosus
Kneiff's Hook-mossDrepanocladus aduncus
Bifid CrestwortLophocolea bidentata
Transparent Fork-mossDichodontium pellucidum
Equal-leaved KnotgrassPolygonum arenastrum
Greater Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus pedunculatus
Common KnapweedCentaurea nigra
Yellow-rattleRhinanthus minor
Wild AngelicaAngelica sylvestris
Wild TeaselDipsacus fullonum
AlderAlnus glutinosa
Japanese RoseRosa rugosa
Soft-rushJuncus effusus
ChivesAllium schoenoprasum

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

15,205 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds82 species

autumnwinter

2026

Blackbird · Goldcrest · Chaffinch · Black-headed Gull · Goldfinch +77

BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2025
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2025
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2025
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2025
RookCorvus frugilegus2025
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2025
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula2025
RobinErithacus rubecula2025
GreenfinchChloris chloris2025
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2025
DunnockPrunella modularis
Mute SwanCygnus olor2025
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis2025
MallardAnas platyrhynchos2025
RavenCorvus corax2025
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2025
WigeonMareca penelope2025
Herring GullLarus argentatus2025
Hooded CrowCorvus cornix2025
RedshankTringa totanus2025
SnipeGallinago gallinago2025
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2025
JackdawColoeus monedula2025
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus2025
Rock DoveColumba livia2025
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2025
ShovelerSpatula clypeata2025
Common GullLarus canus2025
House SparrowPasser domesticus2025
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2025
GoosanderMergus merganser2025
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticula2025
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalis2025
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2025
SiskinSpinus spinus2025
TurnstoneArenaria interpres2025
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2025
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2025
Common GuillemotUria aalge2025
Lesser RedpollAcanthis flammea cabaret2025
FulmarFulmarus glacialis2025
WoodcockScolopax rusticola2025
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2025
SwallowHirundo rustica2025
CurlewNumenius arquata2025
PheasantPhasianus colchicus2025
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serrator2025
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2025
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus2025
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca curruca2025
EiderSomateria mollissima2025
Black GuillemotCepphus grylle2025
ShagGulosus aristotelis2025
House MartinDelichon urbicum2025
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensis2025
Velvet ScoterMelanitta fusca2025
ScaupAythya marila2025
DunlinCalidris alpina2025
Rock PipitAnthus petrosus2025
Yellow-browed WarblerPhylloscopus inornatus2025
LinnetLinaria cannabina2025
FirecrestRegulus ignicapilla2025
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula2025
TealAnas crecca2025
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2025
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2025
Red-throated DiverGavia stellata2025
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus2025
Greylag GooseAnser anser2025
CrossbillLoxia curvirostra2025
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2025
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2025
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropus2025
StonechatSaxicola rubicola2025
KittiwakeRissa tridactyla2025
White WagtailMotacilla alba alba2025
RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurus2025
GannetMorus bassanus2025
Muscovy DuckCairina moschata2025
Common TernSterna hirundo2025

🐝

Insects5 species

summer

2025

Black Darter · Emerald Damselfly · Potato Capsid · Platycheirus clypeatus agg. · Eristalis pertinax

Black DarterSympetrum danae
Emerald DamselflyLestes sponsa
Potato CapsidClosterotomus norwegicus
Platycheirus clypeatus agg.Platycheirus clypeatus agg.
Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax

🌿

Plants53 species

summer

2025

Rough-stalked Feather-moss · Fern-leaved Hook-moss · White-tipped Bristle-moss · Wall Screw-moss · Common Feather-moss +48

Rough-stalked Feather-mossBrachythecium rutabulum
Fern-leaved Hook-mossCratoneuron filicinum
White-tipped Bristle-mossOrthotrichum diaphanum
Wall Screw-mossTortula muralis
Common Feather-mossKindbergia praelonga
Perthshire Beard-mossDidymodon rigidulus
Capillary Thread-mossBryum capillare
Bird's-claw Beard-mossBarbula unguiculata
Dune Thread-mossBryum dichotomum
Frizzled PincushionPlenogemma phyllantha
Silver-mossBryum argenteum
RedshankCeratodon purpureus
Zygodon stirtoniiZygodon stirtonii
Nicholson's Beard-mossDidymodon nicholsonii
Red Beard-mossBryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum
Silky Wall Feather-mossHomalothecium sericeum
Cylindric Beard-mossDidymodon insulanus
Hypnum cupressiforme var. cupressiformeHypnum cupressiforme var. cupressiforme
Himalayan BalsamImpatiens glandulifera
Marchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalisMarchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalis
Wood Bristle-mossLewinskya affinis
Lesser Bird's-claw Beard-mossStreblotrichum convolutum var. convolutum
Thickpoint GrimmiaSchistidium crassipilum
Supine Plait-mossHypnum cupressiforme var. resupinatum
Streblotrichum convolutum var. commutatumStreblotrichum convolutum var. commutatum
Swan's-neck Thyme-mossMnium hornum
Hooded Bristle-mossOrthotrichum cupulatum
Green Yoke-mossZygodon viridissimus
Yellow Fringe-mossRacomitrium aciculare
Hart's-tongue Thyme-mossPlagiomnium undulatum
Clustered Feather-mossRhynchostegium confertum
Anomalous Bristle-mossOrthotrichum anomalum
Grey-cushioned GrimmiaGrimmia pulvinata
Syntrichia ruralis var. ruralisSyntrichia ruralis var. ruralis
Pointed Spear-mossCalliergonella cuspidata
Crescent-cup LiverwortLunularia cruciata
Slender DitrichumFlexitrichum gracile
Blueish VeilwortMetzgeria violacea
Creeping Feather-mossAmblystegium serpens
Springy Turf-mossRhytidiadelphus squarrosus
Kneiff's Hook-mossDrepanocladus aduncus
Bifid CrestwortLophocolea bidentata
Transparent Fork-mossDichodontium pellucidum
Equal-leaved KnotgrassPolygonum arenastrum
Greater Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus pedunculatus
Common KnapweedCentaurea nigra
Yellow-rattleRhinanthus minor
Wild AngelicaAngelica sylvestris
Wild TeaselDipsacus fullonum
AlderAlnus glutinosa
Japanese RoseRosa rugosa
Soft-rushJuncus effusus
ChivesAllium schoenoprasum